Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy intercepted and attacked a Thai-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 17 July. Thailand's Royal Thai Navy has since said checks found that the ship referred to in the reports was not Thai. Reuters, citing Iran's Tasnim News Agency, said a Thai-flagged vessel had allegedly ignored warnings and attempted to pass through the strategic waterway without permission before it was intercepted by the IRGC Navy. Tasnim's report, also cited by Al Jazeera, did not identify the vessel. There were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or deaths, and no further details were released on the alleged interception. Navy says vessel was not Thai Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, the Royal Thai Navy spokesperson, said on 18 July that the Navy had investigated social-media reports about a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman that had raised concern it might be Thai. The Naval Operations Centre checked vessel-tracking information with the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre's operations unit and the Marine Department's Vessel Traffic Service Centre, he said. "The vessel appearing in the news was not a Thai vessel in any way," the Navy concluded. The Navy also checked on the one Thai cargo vessel currently operating in the Gulf of Oman. After contacting the person responsible for the ship's security, it received confirmation that the vessel and all personnel aboard were safe, while navigation and operations were continuing normally. Strategic route remains under scrutiny The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most important shipping routes, particularly for oil exports. The reported incident came amid heightened regional tensions, although the Thai Navy's statement places the vessel mentioned in the reports outside Thailand's registry. The Royal Thai Navy urged the public to rely on information from state agencies and credible news sources. It said it would continue monitoring maritime security closely and coordinating with relevant bodies to protect Thai ships and national maritime interests. Join the discussion? 18 July 2026
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